Jonah Patel
The World Health Organization (WHO), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. The WHO's constitution was adopted by the International Health Conference in New York from June 19 to July 22, 1946, and entered into force on April 7, 1948. The constitution was signed by representatives of 61 states, including all 51 countries of the United Nations at the time, and 10 other countries. This marked a significant step towards global health cooperation and set the foundation for the WHO's mission to promote and protect health for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Adoption | 22 July 1946 |
| Place of Adoption | New York, USA |
| Main Objectives | "To act as a directing and coordinating authority on international health work; to establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and such other organizations as may be necessary; to furnish appropriate technical assistance to Governments, upon request, and to assist them in establishing and strengthening health services; to furnish, upon request, appropriate technical assistance to the other groups concerned with the advancement of health; to promote and encourage epidemiological and statistical investigations and the collection, publication and exchange of sanitary, demographic and statistical information; to promote, in cooperation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the prevention of disease, including malaria, and the improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions, and other factors of environmental hygiene; to further the work being carried out in the United Nations and in the specialized agencies in the field of mental, neurological and psychiatric disorders; to encourage and coordinate bio-statistical and bio-typological research; to promote the improvement of standards of teaching and of the qualifications of the personnel of the health professions; and to publish, or cause to be published, appropriate monographs, bulletins and periodicals." |
| Number of Articles | 33 |
| Membership | All Member States of the United Nations may become members of WHO by accepting its Constitution |
| Governing Body | World Health Assembly (WHA), consisting of all member states, meets annually to set policies and approve budgets and programs |
| Executive Body | Executive Board, consisting of 34 technically qualified members elected by the WHA, meets twice a year to implement WHA decisions and policies |
| Secretariat | Headed by the Director-General, appointed by the WHA, who is the legal representative of WHO and is responsible for carrying out its policies and programs |
| Official Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish |
| Budget | WHO's budget for 2024-25 is approximately US$6.3 billion |
| Recent Focus | WHO has been at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance, technical advice, and supporting countries in their efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to the disease |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution was adopted at the International Health Conference in 1946
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established to coordinate responses to international public health issues and emergencies. The WHO's constitution was adopted at the International Health Conference, held in New York from June 19 to July 22, 1946. Representatives from 61 states signed the constitution on July 22, 1946, marking a significant step towards its official establishment.
The idea for an international health organization emerged during the 1945 United Nations Conference on International Organization. Delegates from Brazil, China, and Norway proposed the concept, but their initial resolution did not pass. However, with the support of Alger Hiss, the secretary general of the conference, a declaration was passed, calling for an international conference on health. This led to the convening of the International Health Conference in 1946, where the constitution was adopted.
The constitution of the WHO was signed by all 51 countries of the United Nations at the time, along with 10 other countries. This unanimous support made the WHO the first specialized agency of the United Nations to which every member subscribed. The constitution outlines the organization's purpose to achieve the highest possible level of health for all people worldwide. It defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
The WHO's headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, and it operates six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. The organization's main functions include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases, enhancing public health teaching and training, and improving medical treatment for diseases. The World Health Assembly (WHA) serves as the legislative and supreme body of the WHO, meeting yearly to appoint the director-general, vote on policy and finance matters, and oversee the executive board's work.
The WHO's constitution, adopted at the International Health Conference in 1946, laid the foundation for global health cooperation and the pursuit of improving health outcomes for all. It continues to guide the organization's efforts in addressing international public health challenges and coordinating responses to emergencies.
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Representatives of 61 states signed the document
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It was founded in 1948, and its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO's purpose is to achieve the highest possible level of health for all people worldwide, defining health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
The idea for the WHO was first proposed by representatives of Brazil and China during the 1945 United Nations Conference on International Organization. The delegates lobbied for the creation of an international health organization under the United Nations, and their proposal was supported by a declaration passed by Alger Hiss, the conference's secretary-general.
The WHO's Constitution was then drafted and adopted by the International Health Conference held in New York from June 19 to July 22, 1946. On July 22, 1946, representatives of 61 states signed the document, including all 51 countries of the United Nations at the time, and 10 other countries. This made the WHO the first specialized agency of the United Nations to which every member subscribed.
The Constitution of the WHO entered into force on April 7, 1948, and this date is now celebrated annually as World Health Day. The WHO has since become the largest intergovernmental health organization at the international level, with 6 regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. Its main functions include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases, improving public health teaching and training, and providing medical treatment for diseases.
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It came into force on 7 April 1948
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO operates 150 country offices and six regional offices worldwide.
The WHO's Constitution, which outlines its purpose and functions, was adopted by the International Health Conference held in New York from 19 June to 22 July 1946. The Constitution was signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 states, including all 51 countries of the United Nations at the time, and 10 other countries.
The Constitution of the WHO came into force on 7 April 1948, marking the official establishment of the organization. This date is now celebrated annually as World Health Day. The WHO's foundation reflects the global commitment to act together across national borders to address public health challenges.
Since its inception, the WHO has played a crucial role in promoting and developing international health work. It defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The organization's main functions include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases, improving public health teaching and training, and enhancing the medical treatment of diseases worldwide.
The legislative and supreme body of the WHO is the World Health Assembly (WHA), which meets yearly to appoint the director-general, vote on policy and finance matters, and review reports from the executive board. The executive board, comprised of 34 technically qualified health experts, facilitates the work of the Assembly and ensures the implementation of its decisions and policies.
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The WHO is the UN's first specialised agency
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. The WHO became the first specialised agency of the United Nations in 1948 when its constitution came into force. The constitution was signed by all 51 countries of the United Nations and 10 other countries on 22 July 1946, and it officially came into force on 7 April 1948.
The WHO's main functions include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases, providing and improving teaching and training in public health, and promoting the medical treatment of diseases. The organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". The WHO's purpose is to achieve the highest possible level of health for all people worldwide.
The idea for the WHO was first discussed in 1945 during the Conference to set up the United Nations (UN) in San Francisco. Representatives of Brazil and China proposed establishing an international health organization, and a conference to frame its constitution was convened. The constitution was then drafted at the International Health Conference in New York from 19 June to 22 July 1946.
The WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and operates 150 country offices in six different regions. It also has several liaison offices, including those with the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. The legislative and supreme body of the WHO is the World Health Assembly (WHA), which appoints the director-general every five years and votes on matters of policy and finance.
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The WHO's purpose is to achieve the highest level of health for all
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO's primary purpose is to achieve and maintain the highest level of health for all people globally. This ambitious goal encompasses not just the absence of disease but complete physical, mental, and social well-being for everyone.
The WHO's history began with the 1945 United Nations Conference, where delegates from Brazil, China, and Norway proposed establishing a global health organization. The Constitution of the World Health Organization was then signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 states, including all 51 countries of the United Nations at the time, and it officially came into force on 7 April 1948. This date is now celebrated annually as World Health Day.
As the largest intergovernmental health organization, the WHO has a broad reach with 6 regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. It operates several liaison offices, including with the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Additionally, it runs the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, and the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan.
The main functions of the WHO include responding to international public health issues and emergencies, promoting control over epidemic and endemic diseases, and enhancing the teaching and training in public health and medical treatment. The organization also works to improve global health knowledge, sharing historical insights to benefit society as a whole. The Global Health Histories project, established in 2004, exemplifies this commitment to understanding health history to shape a healthier future.
The WHO's legislative body, the World Health Assembly (WHA), is responsible for appointing the director-general, voting on policy and finance matters, and overseeing the executive board's work. The executive board, comprised of 34 technically qualified health experts, carries out the Assembly's decisions and policies and provides advice. Together, these governing bodies strive to fulfil the WHO's mission of attaining the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right for every individual.
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Frequently asked questions
The WHO Constitution was signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States.
The WHO Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948.
The WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
